January 17, 2011

Greetings Alpharetta High School parents and students:

Happy New Year, and welcome back! I am excited to begin the second half of our school year together.  Certainly many tremendous opportunities for learning, as well as service, arts and athletic experiences, await our students.  Indeed, 2012 is sure to be another year of excellence for our school!

I am so pleased to share with you all Alpharetta High School’s most recent recognition.  In its January edition, Atlanta Magazine published its annual ranking of metro-area high schools.  Once again, AHS climbed to the top, coming in at number 7 this year out of the top 50 public high schools that received recognition.  For this year’s issue, schools were ranked based on academic achievement criteria that would deem students ready for college.  The magazine’s criteria included average SAT scores, English and math graduation test scores, graduation rates, number of Advanced Placement exams taken, Advanced Placement exam pass rates, the percentage of students requiring remedial support when entering college, HOPE eligibility, and the percentage of students earning college preparatory diplomas.  Please join me in celebrating the hard work of our students and teachers.  It is an honor to receive such public recognition, and it is truly my pleasure to serve as the principal of our prestigious school.

Parents, last Thursday students received their first semester report cards during advisement. Please be sure to review your child’s report card and engage in conversation about their successes as well as any challenges your child may have encountered.  If you have questions, please first contact your child’s teacher and then your child’s counselor, if necessary.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish one of our excellent counselor’s, Ms. Stephanie Coleman, a fond farewell. Ms. Coleman has served as a counselor for AHS for many years, but has decided to further her career and serve at a different level in another Fulton County School.  We will miss Ms. Coleman dearly but wish her all the best in her new role working with young children.  Good luck Ms. Coleman!

Finally, parents and students, please be aware that the deadline for hardship transfers for the 2012-2013 school year is February 15, 2012 at 4:30 p.m.  If you need a hardship transfer to a school, other than your child’s zoned school, for medical reasons, curriculum differences, childcare situations or for employees’ children, you must complete a hardship application, and it must be approved and signed by the principals of both schools.   Applications are available in our front office, or you can access an electronic form by visiting the “Parents” section on the district website.

Again, welcome back to school! I have enjoyed welcoming students back over the past few weeks, and it is evident in the classrooms and in the hallways that students are eager to learn and ready to work!  Go Raiders!

Sincerely,

Shannon N. Kersey

Shannon N. Kersey

Principal

Alpharetta High School